UNPRI Promotes Digital Community Empowerment in Lubuk Bayas Village Through AI Technology and User-Friendly Fintech

UNPRI is promoting digital transformation in Lubuk Bayas Village through user-friendly AI and fintech technology to improve digital literacy and community welfare.

The Community Service Team of Universitas Prima Indonesia (UNPRI) once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting digital transformation in rural communities through a program titled “Towards Smart Village: Empowering Farmers’ Groups and PKK Teams of Lubuk Bayas Village through AI and User-Friendly Fintech Technology”, conducted continuously from September to November 2025.

The implementation team consisted of UNPRI lecturers — Dr. Yeni Ariesa, S.E., M.Si., M.M., Herlin Munthe, S.Pd., M.Pd., M.Ak., and Dr. Windania Purba, S.Kom., M.Kom. — along with 20 students from UNPRI’s Student Executive Board (BEM).

This program is part of the UNPRI Impact Student Program (PM-BEM), funded by the Directorate of Research and Community Service. The initiative focuses on improving digital literacy and productive economic capacity in rural communities.

The activities began in September 2025 with a socialization phase, where the team mapped local potentials and community needs — particularly among the Subur Farmers Group and the PKK Women’s Team of Lubuk Bayas Village. Through interactive discussions, residents were introduced to the concept of a smart village that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and digital financial systems (fintech) into everyday economic activities.

Following the socialization phase, the team conducted a series of field visits to assist partners in implementing smart farming technologies, digital financial recording, and social media–based marketing strategies.

A Digital Production and Marketing Training session was held on November 11, 2025, involving farmers, PKK members, and village officials. During the training, participants learned to use AI chatbot applications to support agricultural decision-making and simple fintech apps to record transactions and manage household finances.

Team leader Dr. Yeni Ariesa, S.E., M.Si., M.M., stated that the program serves as a tangible contribution of UNPRI in realizing digital self-reliance among rural communities. “We aim to make Lubuk Bayas Village a model for smart villages — where technology is not only embraced by the youth but also utilized by farmers and homemakers to enhance their economic well-being,” said Dr. Yeni.

Based on the program’s evaluation, the community’s digital literacy increased by up to 68%, while agricultural productivity rose by 22% following the implementation of supportive technologies. In addition, two new home-based businesses were successfully established under the PKK’s guidance after the fintech and digital marketing training sessions.

This program is expected to inspire other villages in North Sumatra to adopt technology inclusively and sustainably. Through its community service initiatives, UNPRI remains committed to actively supporting the government’s mission toward national digital transformation and a community-based rural economic development model.

Share this news